Hesperochiron nanus
California hesperochiron
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hesperochiron nanus (California hesperochiron) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by key differences in flower shape (bell vs rotate), flower number, and leaf pubescence.
California hesperochiron is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, western Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin, and southern Desert Mountains in wet meadows and valleys at elevations of 770 to 2,620 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white to bluish-purple, occasionally pink flowers with a bell-shaped corolla 10 to 25 millimeters long and delicate white or yellow-throated petals. Growing as a small, compact plant 2 to 10 centimeters tall with a diameter up to 15 centimeters, it forms a simple caudex with generally no rhizomes. Its leaves are predominantly oblanceolate to elliptic, measuring 1 to 5 centimeters long and 1 to 2 centimeters wide, with petioles sometimes buried in the soil. The fruit is 5 to 10 millimeters long, containing tiny seeds approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences in flower shape (bell vs rotate), flower number, and leaf pubescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, flats, valleys
Elevation: 770-2620 m
California counties: Placer, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Ventura, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Lassen, Modoc, El Dorado, Alpine, Fresno, Inyo, Sierra, Kern, Nevada, Shasta, Mariposa, Trinity, Madera, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Baja California
Bloom period
Hesperochiron nanus blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Hesperochiron has one flower per stalk from a basal rosette; Phacelia has many flowers in coiled clusters.; vs Montia: Hesperochiron has 5-petaled tubular flowers; Montia has tiny 2-5 petaled flowers with notched petals.; vs Eucrypta: Hesperochiron has single large flowers on individual stalks; Eucrypta has small flowers in branched clusters.; vs Emmenanthe: Hesperochiron has flowers on individual stalks from base; Emmenanthe has hanging bells on branched stems.; vs Nama: Hesperochiron has large solitary flowers on leafless stalks; Nama has small flowers along leafy stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hesperochiron nanus native to California?
Yes. Hesperochiron nanus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperochiron nanus bloom?
Hesperochiron nanus blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Hesperochiron nanus grow?
Hesperochiron nanus occurs in Placer, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Ventura, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 770-2620 m.
What plant family does Hesperochiron nanus belong to?
Hesperochiron nanus is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Hesperochiron.
What habitat does Hesperochiron nanus grow in?
Hesperochiron nanus grows in Wet meadows, flats, valleys.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.